Cam Extension Draw Stop

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a riser, a first limb and a second limb. A first rotatable member is supported by the first limb and a second rotatable member supported by the second limb. The first rotatable member comprises a cam track and a draw stop. The draw stop comprises a cavity. A bowstring extends between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member. A power cable is arranged to be taken up by the cam track as the bow is drawn. The bow comprises a drawn orientation and the draw stop contacts the power cable in the drawn orientation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.62/005,913, filed May 30, 2014, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to archery bows and more specificallyto compound archery bows.

Compound bows are known in the art. A compound bow can be drawn from abrace condition to a fully drawn condition. Some bows can be drawnslightly past the full draw orientation, wherein a draw force curve forthe bow will typically exhibit a valley. Some shooters prefer a bowhaving a relatively soft stop at full draw; however, some shooters wouldprefer a harder draw stop. Some bows provide an interfering member tolimit draw, such as a draw stop member attached to a rotating member andarranged to contact a limb at full draw. An interfering member canpresent a very hard stop at the end of the draw cycle.

There remains a need for novel bow designs that provide a bettershooting experience. There remains a need for novel bow designs thatprovide a draw stop having a harder feel than bows that omit a dedicateddraw stop, but provide a softer stop than is typically provided by adraw stop arranged to interfere with draw.

All US patents and applications and all other published documentsmentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some ofthe claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additionaldetails of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additionalembodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description ofthe Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification isprovided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72.The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope ofthe claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a riser, a first limb anda second limb. A first rotatable member is supported by the first limband a second rotatable member supported by the second limb. The firstrotatable member comprises a cam track and a draw stop. The draw stopcomprises a cavity. A bowstring extends between the first rotatablemember and the second rotatable member. A power cable is arranged to betaken up by the cam track as the bow is drawn. The bow comprises a drawnorientation and the draw stop contacts the power cable in the drawnorientation.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the power cable is orientedin the cavity in said drawn orientation. In some embodiments, cavitycomprises an arcuate surface.

In some embodiments, a draw stop comprises an asymmetrical flangeoriented to a side of a power cable.

In some embodiments, the portion of the draw stop that contacts thepower cable is non-elastomeric.

In some embodiments, a removable module comprises the draw stop.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a parthereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, itsadvantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made tothe drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanyingdescriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described variousembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described withspecific reference being made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a bow in a brace orientation.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a rotatable member.

FIG. 3 shows the bow of FIG. 1 in a drawn orientation.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of a rotatable member from FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a rotatable member having a drawstop.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment end view of an archery bow.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a rotatable member having a drawstop.

FIG. 8 shows the rotatable member of FIG. 7 from another angle.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a rotatable member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there aredescribed in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. Thisdescription is an exemplification of the principles of the invention andis not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodimentsillustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in thefigures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an archery bow 10 in a brace condition. Insome embodiments, a bow 10 comprises a riser 12 and at least one limb 14supported by the riser 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the riser 12 supports afirst limb 14 at one end and a second limb 16 at the other end. In someembodiments, a limb cup 17 can be used to receive a limb 14. In someembodiments, a limb cup 17 comprises a device as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 8,453,635, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Desirably, a limb 14 supports at least one rotatable member 20. As shownin FIG. 1, the first limb 14 supports a first rotatable member 20 andthe second limb 16 supports a second rotatable member 22. In someembodiments, the first limb 14 supports a first axle 21, and the firstaxle 21 supports the first rotatable member 20. Similarly, the secondlimb 16 can support a second axle 23, which in turn supports the secondrotatable member 22.

Desirably, a bowstring 30 extends between the first rotatable member 20and the second rotatable member 22. In some embodiments, a first end 31of the bowstring 30 is anchored to the first rotatable member 20 and asecond end 32 of the bowstring 30 is anchored to the second rotatablemember 22. In some embodiments, a segment of the bowstring 30 extendsabout a periphery of a rotatable member 20 when the bow 10 is in thebrace condition.

In some embodiments, the first rotatable member 20 comprises a first camportion 24 defining a first cam track, and the second rotatable member22 comprises a second cam portion 26 defining a second cam track. Insome embodiments, a first power cable 40 is attached to the firstrotatable member 20 and arranged to be taken up by the first cam trackwhen the bow 10 is drawn. In some embodiments, a second power cable 42is attached to the second rotatable member 22 and arranged to be takenup by the second cam track when the bow 10 is drawn. In someembodiments, the first power cable 40 is anchored to the second axle 23and the second power cable 42 is anchored to the first axle 21 (notshown). As shown in FIG. 1, the first power cable 40 is anchored to thesecond rotatable member 22 and the second power cable 42 is anchored tothe first rotatable member 20.

In some embodiments, the second rotatable member 22 can comprise amirror of the first rotatable member 20, and the second rotatable member22 can comprise a bowstring track 50 similar to the first rotatablemember 20.

In some embodiments, a rotatable member 20 comprises a force vectoringanchor 68, and a power cable (e.g. second power cable 42) is anchored tothe force vectoring anchor 68. Desirably, a force vectoring anchor 68defines an anchor axis that is offset from the rotatable member axis(e.g. first axis 60). In some embodiments, a force vectoring anchor 68comprises an anchor structure as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,946,281 orU.S. Pat. No. 8,020,544, the entire disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, a power cable 40, 42 is anchored to an anchoringmechanism (not illustrated) that is arranged to feed out power cable 40,42 as the bow is drawn, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,990,970, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a rotatable member 20 in greater detail.Desirably, the rotatable member 20 defines a bowstring track 50. In someembodiments, the bowstring track 50 extends about a periphery of therotatable member 20. At least a portion of the bowstring 30 is orientedin the bowstring track 50, and bowstring 30 feeds out from the bowstringtrack 50 as the bow is drawn. In some embodiments, the rotatable member20 comprises a first post 52 that serves as a terminal post, and aterminal loop of the bowstring 30 is anchored to the first post 52.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a cam portion 24, which desirably definesa cam track 25. When the bow is drawn, power cable (e.g. 40) isdesirably taken up in the cam track 25. In some embodiments, therotatable member 20 comprises a second post 53 that serves as a terminalpost, and a terminal loop of the power cable (e.g. 40) is anchored tothe second post 53. In some embodiments, the cam portion 24 comprises amodule portion 28. Desirably, the module portion 28 can be removed fromthe rotatable member 20 and alternative modules having different shapescan be substituted. In some embodiments, one or more fasteners 86 securethe module 28 to the rotatable member 20. Desirably, the module portion28 comprises a cam track 25. Different modules can have differentlyshaped cam track portions and changing modules can change the drawcharacteristics of the bow, for example adjusting draw weight, drawlength, etc.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a bow 10 in a drawn orientation. FIG. 4shows a portion of FIG. 3 in greater detail. These Figures illustratehow the draw stop 70 of a rotatable member 20, 22 will stop rotation ofthe rotatable member 20, 22 at full draw.

As the rotatable member 20 reaches full draw, the draw stop 70 contactsthe power cable 40, thereby preventing further rotation of the rotatablemember 20. In some embodiments, at full draw, the power cable 40occupies the entire cam track 25 of the first rotatable member 20. Insome embodiments, the draw stop 70 contacts the power cable 40 at alocation 46 that is spaced apart from the cam track 25.

A draw stop 70 arranged to contact the power cable 40 as shown in FIG. 4will stop the draw cycle with an intermediate level of abruptness. A bowthat excludes a draw stop will stop the draw cycle with low abruptness,while a bow with a draw stop arranged to contact a limb will stop thedraw cycle with high abruptness.

Although FIG. 4 illustrates the draw stop 70 as being a portion of amodule 28 that comprises a cam track 25, a draw stop 70 can comprise anysuitable structure arranged to contact a power cable 40 to limit draw.In some embodiments, a rotatable member 20 comprises a draw stop 70. Insome embodiments, a draw stop 70 comprises a cantilever structure. Insome embodiments, a cam portion 24 comprises the draw stop 70. In someembodiments, a module portion 28 comprises the draw stop 70. In someembodiments, a draw stop 70 is removable from a rotatable member 20. Insome embodiments, a draw stop 70 is an integral portion of a rotatablemember 20.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a rotatable member 20 and anotherembodiment of a draw stop 70. In some embodiments, a draw stop 70comprises a cavity 72. Desirably, a portion of a power cable is orientedin the cavity 72 at full draw.

In some embodiments, a draw stop 70 comprises an arcuate surface 73 thatdefines the cavity 72. Desirably, a portion of the arcuate surface 73contacts a power cable at full draw. In some embodiments, the arcuatesurface 73 defines a portion of a cylindrical surface. In someembodiments, a cavity 72 defines a central longitudinal axis 76, and apower cable aligns with the central longitudinal axis 76 at full draw.In some embodiments, a terminal portion of the cam track 25 defines anaxis 36, and the central longitudinal axis 76 of the cavity 72 iscollinear with the axis 36.

FIG. 6 shows an end view of an embodiment of a bow 10. In someembodiments, the bow 10 comprises a cable guard 74 arranged to bias thepower cables 40, 42 (or a power cable and a control cable in a singlecam bow) laterally away from a plane of bowstring 30 travel. In someembodiments, the first power cable 40 extends from a first cam 24located to a first side 56 of the bow 10 and extends to an anchor 66located to a second side 57 of the bow 10. In some embodiments, thesecond power cable 42 extends from a second cam 26 located to a firstside 56 of the bow 10 and extends to an anchor 67 located to a secondside 57 of the bow 10. Thus, in some embodiments, cams 24, 26 arelocated on a common side of the bow and anchors 66, 67 are located onthe other side. In some other embodiments, a cam and an anchor can belocated on each side of the bow.

In some embodiments, a cable guard 74 is arranged to contact one or morepower cables 40, 42 at a location that is equally spaced from the axisof rotation (e.g. 60) of each rotatable member 20, 22.

The cables 40, 42 of a bow 10 can both be biased to a first side 56 ofthe bow 10 by the cable guard 74. In some embodiments, a draw stop 70comprises an asymmetrical structure.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a rotatable member 20 and anotherembodiment of a draw stop 70. FIG. 8 shows the rotatable member 20 froma different viewing angle and also omits a power cable for clarity. Thefirst direction 56, which indicates a direction that a cable guard 74may bias cables 40, 42, is shown in FIG. 8.

In some embodiments, a draw stop 70 comprises a flange 94 arranged tocontain a power cable 40. In some embodiments, the flange 94 at leastpartially defines a cavity 72 defined by the draw stop 70. In someembodiments, a rotatable member 20 comprises structure 98 oriented to asecond side (e.g. 57) of a power cable 40, and the structure can preventthe power cable 40 from moving laterally in the second direction (e.g.57). In some embodiments, a draw stop 70 comprises structure (e.g.flange 94) oriented to a first side (e.g. 56) of a power cable 40, andthe structure 94 prevents the power cable 40 from moving laterally inthe first direction (e.g. 56). In some embodiments, a draw stop 70comprises structure (e.g. flange 94) located to a first side of thepower cable 40, and a rotatable member 20 comprises structure 98 locatedto a second side of the power cable.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a rotatable member 20having a draw stop 70. In some embodiments, a draw stop 70 comprises afastener 90 attached to the draw stop 70. In some embodiments, the drawstop 70 comprises an aperture 96 arranged to receive a fastener 90. Insome embodiments, the fastener 90 attaches to the draw stop 70 but doesnot engage another portion of the rotatable member 20.

In some embodiments, a fastener 90 comprises a stem 93 and a head 92. Insome embodiments, the head 92 forms a flange 94.

In some embodiments, a fastener 90 attaches a spacer 88 to the draw stop70. FIG. 9 shows several versions of a spacer 88. In some embodiments, aspacer 88 is cylindrical. In some embodiments, a spacer 88 isfrustoconical. In some embodiments, a spacer 88 is tapered and increasesin diameter along its length. In some embodiments, a spacer 88 defines acavity 72. In some embodiments, a spacer 88 comprises a recess 89, forexample to receive a fastener head 92.

In some embodiments, portions of the draw stop 70 that contact the powercable 40 are not elastomeric. In some embodiments, portions of the drawstop 70 that contact the power cable 40 are rigid or inelastic.

A draw stop 70 can be made from any suitable material. Often a draw stop70 will comprise a metal such as aluminum. A spacer 88 can be made fromany suitable material. Often a spacer 88 comprises a polymeric material.

In some embodiments, a draw stop 70 comprises felt applied to a surfacethat contacts the power cable 40.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the claimswhere the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Thosefamiliar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specificembodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to beencompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims canbe combined with each other in other manners within the scope of theinvention such that the invention should be recognized as alsospecifically directed to other embodiments having any other possiblecombination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, forpurposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows shouldbe taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from allprior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependentclaim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within thejurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should bealternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). Injurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, thefollowing dependent claims should each be also taken as alternativelywritten in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependencyfrom a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claimlisted in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternateembodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognizeother equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein whichequivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attachedhereto.

1. An archery bow comprising: a riser; a first limb and a second limb; afirst rotatable member supported by said first limb and a secondrotatable member supported by said second limb, said first rotatablemember comprising a cam track and a draw stop, said draw stop comprisinga cavity; a bowstring extending between said first rotatable member andsaid second rotatable member; and a power cable arranged to be taken upby said cam track as said bow is drawn; wherein said bow comprises adrawn orientation, said draw stop contacting said power cable in saiddrawn orientation.
 2. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein said draw stopcontacts said power cable at a location that is spaced apart from saidcam track.
 3. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein at least a portion ofsaid power cable is oriented in said cavity in said drawn orientation.4. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein said cavity comprises an arcuatesurface that defines a central longitudinal axis of said cavity.
 5. Thearchery bow of claim 4, wherein said central longitudinal axis iscollinear with a central axis of a terminal portion of said cam track.6. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein said draw stop comprises aconcave surface that defines said cavity, said concave surfacecontacting said power cable in said drawn orientation.
 7. The archerybow of claim 1, wherein said rotatable member comprises structurelocated on a first side of said power cable, said draw stop comprising aflange located on a second side of said power cable.
 8. The archery bowof claim 7, said flange comprising a fastener head.
 9. The archery bowof claim 1, said draw stop comprising a spacer and a fastener attachingsaid spacer to said draw stop.
 10. The archery bow of claim 9, whereinsaid spacer is frustoconical.
 11. The archery bow of claim 9, whereinsaid spacer surrounds a stem of said fastener.
 12. The archery bow ofclaim 9, wherein said spacer defines a recess, a head of said fasteneroriented in said recess.
 13. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein saiddraw stop comprises a cantilever structure.
 14. The archery bow of claim1, said first rotatable member comprising a module arranged to bedetached from said first rotatable member, said module comprising saiddraw stop.
 15. The archery bow of claim 14, said module furthercomprising a portion of said cam track.
 16. The archery bow of claim 1,said draw stop comprising a fastener that does not attach to anotherportion of said first rotatable member.
 17. An archery bow comprising: ariser; at least one limb supported by said riser; at least one rotatablemember supported by said limb, said rotatable member comprising a camportion defining a cam track, said cam portion comprising a draw stop,said draw stop defining a cavity; and a power cable arranged to be takenup on said cam track; wherein said archery bow comprises a drawnorientation, said draw stop contacting said power cable in said drawnorientation.
 18. The archery bow of claim 17, wherein at least a portionof said power cable is oriented in said cavity.
 19. The archery bow ofclaim 17, wherein said cam portion comprises a removable portion, saidremovable portion comprising said draw stop.